Published: Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 04:32 PM.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The City Council is one step closer to finalizing the design of the consolidated recreation center that will replace the Fred Hedrick Center on Jet Drive.

Architect and construction representatives updated city officials last week on various changes to the layout of the building, which will span more than 30,000 square feet.

Many of the changes grew out of ideas offered by residents, said Jeff Peters, Fort Walton Beach’s director of recreation and cultural services.

“We want to make sure we do this right from the very first day until the project’s complete,” he said. “We’ve taken in a lot of ideas, many of them very different.”

The building, which has a working price tag of $8 million, now will have a larger fitness room, a larger multipurpose room and a new locker room.

Peters said changes also have been made to accommodate senior residents, who have asked for a porch where they could sit in rocking chairs.

“We were able to incorporate on the back corner a little 2,500-square-foot brick paved patio,” he told council members. “There will be a built-in grill and it will be really nice for them.”

Other additions include a closed-circuit television system that will be used for security and remote viewing for parents who have children in dance classes.

“They’ll be able to sit in our lounge and family room area and watch the girls dance there on the TV,” Peters added.

The building’s design, which is 60 percent complete, is being handled by Dennis Chavez of DC Architects in Fort Walton Beach. Lord & Son Construction will build the center.

Steven Christopher, vice president of operations for Lord & Son, said the project was under budget and on schedule.

He said the building will have a “very sophisticated electrical system.”

“We can literally have a senior area that’s 80 degrees and a racquetball court that’s 62 degrees,” Christopher said. “If that’s what you want, we can do it.”

The city has decided to consolidate its four aging recreation centers — Docie Bass, Fred Hedrick, Chester Pruitt and Creative Senior — into the larger building.

“From what I’m seeing, this is coming along very well,” Councilman Trey Goodwin said. “I think we’re on the right track.”

In addition to an air-conditioned gymnasium, the center will have a full-size kitchen, administration offices, a one-mile, outdoor walking track around the property, an outdoor concession stand and restrooms, and fields for baseball, soccer and softball.

City officials say the project could be completed sometime in 2014.

City Manager Michael Beedie said plans should be 90 percent complete in March.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The City Council is one step closer to finalizing the design of the consolidated recreation center that will replace the Fred Hedrick Center on Jet Drive.

Architect and construction representatives updated city officials last week on various changes to the layout of the building, which will span more than 30,000 square feet.

Many of the changes grew out of ideas offered by residents, said Jeff Peters, Fort Walton Beach’s director of recreation and cultural services.

“We want to make sure we do this right from the very first day until the project’s complete,” he said. “We’ve taken in a lot of ideas, many of them very different.”

The building, which has a working price tag of $8 million, now will have a larger fitness room, a larger multipurpose room and a new locker room.

Peters said changes also have been made to accommodate senior residents, who have asked for a porch where they could sit in rocking chairs.

“We were able to incorporate on the back corner a little 2,500-square-foot brick paved patio,” he told council members. “There will be a built-in grill and it will be really nice for them.”

Other additions include a closed-circuit television system that will be used for security and remote viewing for parents who have children in dance classes.

“They’ll be able to sit in our lounge and family room area and watch the girls dance there on the TV,” Peters added.

The building’s design, which is 60 percent complete, is being handled by Dennis Chavez of DC Architects in Fort Walton Beach. Lord & Son Construction will build the center.

Steven Christopher, vice president of operations for Lord & Son, said the project was under budget and on schedule.

He said the building will have a “very sophisticated electrical system.”

“We can literally have a senior area that’s 80 degrees and a racquetball court that’s 62 degrees,” Christopher said. “If that’s what you want, we can do it.”

The city has decided to consolidate its four aging recreation centers — Docie Bass, Fred Hedrick, Chester Pruitt and Creative Senior — into the larger building.

“From what I’m seeing, this is coming along very well,” Councilman Trey Goodwin said. “I think we’re on the right track.”

In addition to an air-conditioned gymnasium, the center will have a full-size kitchen, administration offices, a one-mile, outdoor walking track around the property, an outdoor concession stand and restrooms, and fields for baseball, soccer and softball.

City officials say the project could be completed sometime in 2014.

City Manager Michael Beedie said plans should be 90 percent complete in March.